asked the Minister for Defence if it is correct that Army personnel driving for FCA units in the Eastern Command (excluding those living in Dublin) are paid less by way of ration and FCA allowance than Army instructors attached to these units; and, if so, if he will take steps to equalise the allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances of Army Drivers in FCA Units.
28.
The rate of ration allowance payable to Army personnel employed as storemen/drivers or as instructors with An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil is the same.
As regards the special allowances payable to personnel employed on duties with An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil, the rates of these allowances are adapted to the circumstances affecting the different classes of personnel concerned. This results in lower rates of allowances being paid to storemen/ drivers than to instructors, and I do not propose to equalise them.
Is the basis on which the special allowance is made calculated according to rank or according to work?
According to work.
The driver attached to these units is required, of necessity, to work fairly considerably longer hours. He has to have the transport in readiness and to put it away again in the evenings when the instructor and other personnel attached to units have already knocked off. On that basis, would the Minister not consider it fair that he should even up the allowances?
I do not think that the Deputy's assessment of the situation is accurate. The instructor has to mix a good deal with the members of An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil and the members of the public as well. It has been the experience of the administration of the Force that the instructors incur some more expense than the others involved.
Would the Minister have a look at the question, just to see if my assessment is correct?
I shall do that.
Thanks.